As Hong Kong crime movies and TV dramas enjoy huge popularity on the Chinese mainland, many netizens' comments drew inspiration from classic lines or roles.
Users for example asked if Chow Sing-sing was still at the police force, and if Foon Hei-gor will abandon his spy identity and return to the force.
Chow Sing-sing, played by Hong Kong actor Stephen Chow, featured in the film Fight Back to School, and Foon Hei-gor is one of the lead roles in the mega-hit TVB drama Line Walker.
Crime films have been a staple of the Hong Kong film industry since the 1980s and have become for a favorite of many top Hong Kong directors like John Woo, Wong Kar-wai and actors like Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung and Andy Lau.
In 1986 star-studded crime film A Better Tomorrow, directed by John Woo and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat, become a landmark in Asian action cinema.
At the beginning of 21st century, the Infernal Affairs trilogy claimed numerous awards and box office success. The series is a must-see in understanding Hong Kong culture.
In 2017 the action-crime film Project Gutenberg recorded a total of 1.26 billion yuan ($187 million) at the box office, proving again that the crime genre maintains appeal in the film industry.
